2months contract with a LocalAuthority
JobSummary:
* Responsiblefor the strategic planning in the production and approval of theCouncil s audited statutory Statement of Accounts. Taking astrategic approach in council wide engagement to embed a strongculture of sound accounting knowledge and compliance to the levelsof strategic managers/Heads of Service and ElectedMembers.
* Thepost holder will be the leading technical advisor for VAT reportingdirect to the S151 on matters. The role acts as the key point ofcontact with critical external stakeholders in particular externalauditors andHMRC.
* Workingwith the Head of Corporate Finance is a leading officer fordeveloping and maintaining financial standards compliance and goodgovernance within Finance and across theCouncil.
* Thisis a very technical and specialist role which requires extensiveand up to date knowledge of the latest regulations and bestpractice.
KeyDuties/Accountabilities(Sample):
* Overseethe Councils closure of accounts process directing resources inproducing the statutory Statement of Accounts and other relatedreturns.
* Keepsup to date with developments in the public and private sectorsthrough active involvement in regional and national networkssetting strategies to ensure compliance tothese.
* Equipsthe Audit Committee with knowledge of the latest accountingpractices and the ability to understand the information in theaccounts to fulfil their role. Presents the final audited accountsto the S151 officer and Audit Committee forapproval.
* Managesexternal auditor interactions being the lead coordinator of therequests for information validating responses and ensuring all isprovided in a timely manner. The role is a key account managerbuilding and managing relationships with the external auditors atall seniority levels and between theCouncil.
* Setsthe strategy in response to auditor recommendations made presentingcounter challenge following up with an action plan and directingresources or process improvements asrelevant.
* Planand direct all accounting processes to ensure that the Council sneeds and statutory accounting obligations are fully determineddelivered and meet the latest accounting standards and professionalbestpractice.
* Deliverfinancial training to staff on accounting requirements andstandards including VAT. Continuously enabling improvement toprocess and knowledge to be maintained over thelongterm.
* Coordinate theCouncils fees & charges ensuring that the basis of thecharge is clear and the VAT treatment iscorrect.
* Setsthe strategy and ensures compliance of VAT regulations reportingmatters to the S151 Officer who is directly responsible. Advise thecouncil on VAT and be the leading point of contact for HMRC on allVAT matters andinspections.
* Developand maintain the Councils financial procedures concerning thefinancial vetting of contractors hoping to trade with theCouncil.
* Providefinancial advice to the Head of Corporate and Director of Financeon the accounting treatment of technical accounting issues and tothe whole council on VAT providing recommendations on actionrequired.
* Ensurethe use of the MS Dynamics 365 finance system is used correctly byaccounting and support staff to reflect proper accounting practice.For example ensuring appropriateness of internal vs externalcoding.
* Ensuresthe Asset Accounting process and reporting regimes comply withregulations. To include directing the implementation and managementof emerging new standards such as IFRS16leases.
* Maintainthe Council s controls over banking having oversight of the cashbooks bank reconciliation and directing of the Council s bankingand cashiercolleagues.
* Thelead officer managing the online BACs payment system contract andadministration of the Council online bankingsystem.
* Supportthe council s treasury management activities through checking dailytransactionproposals.
* Leadsthe annual closing of the HRA account and understanding the impactsof the 30year HRA business plan in collaboration with the relevantStrategic Finance Business Partner. With oversight of reportingrequirements ensures proper accounting treatment is separate to theGeneral Fund and the management of fixed assets/ investment chargesto the HRA fund are appropriate andforecasted.
* Provideclear leadership to deliver the Council s strategic priorities andmeet the Council s financial targets as a member of theDirectorates Senior LeadershipTeam.
* Update andadvise Elected Members in respect of operational and policy issuesin relation to the Finance servicesteams.
* LeadFinance teams with a clear identity in terms of flexible andresponsive ways of working inclusive and diverse culture and highlevel of employee engagement andwellbeing.
* Undertakerepresentational and communication duties on behalf of the Councilto promote and protect the Council s interests in mattersconcerning their specialistareas.
* Create monitorand review frameworks of performance measures and quality standardsto be applied in the delivery ofservices.
* Functionas an ambassador for the Council promoting both internally andexternally the Council s vision strategic aims andvalues.
* Value thediversity of Somerset s communities ensuring equality of access andtreatment in service delivery andemployment.
* Function as arole model for Somerset s vision and values. Promotes a culture ofcontinuous improvement that encourages creativity and innovation toensure services are efficient and develop the potential andflexibility across the Council and its workforce including themotivation and development of employees within the Finance serviceteams.
* Ensure thatFinance services place a high value on customer responsiveness bydemonstrating a commitment to meeting and involving the broadestrange of direct and indirect service users citizens customerscommunities andbusinesses.
* Supportthe delivery of the Councils key strategic aims and objectivesensuring understanding and commitment from staff from across theFinanceservice.
* SupportCorporate and Directorate and service specific transformationalchange programmes with the aim of maximising efficiency modernisingservices and achieving better outcomes and opportunities forservice users andcustomers.
* Ensureflexibility in reacting to the needs of the Council its customersand partners supporting a culture of continuousimprovement.
* Ensurecompliance with all relevant legislation the Council s standards ofconduct organisational policy and professional codes of conduct touphold standards of bestpractice.
Skills/Experience:
* Extensiveknowledge of latest financial accounting standards and highlyskilled at interceptingthem.
* Extensiveexperience and knowledge of VAT its application and implications oncourses of action.
* Substantialmanagerial experience and skills gained at a senior level includingcontributing to the corporate management of an organisation whererequired.
* Significantknowledge and experience of the development agreement and deliveryof serviceplans.
* Soundunderstanding and practice of multidisciplinaryworking.
* Demonstrableexperience of the effective deployment continuing development andsupervision of professional and other staff resources.
* Proventrack record of establishing and managing partnerships/externalstakeholderrelationships.
* Changemanagement experience at a lead and influence level.
AdditionalInformation:
* Fullyqualified CCAB Accountant and with experience of working in acomplexorganisation.
* Thispost will be required to work across legacy council offices formeetingsetc.
Extensive knowledge of latest financial accounting standards andhighly skilled at intercepting them. Extensive experience andknowledge of VAT, its application and implications on courses ofaction. Substantial managerial experience and skills gained at asenior level, including contributing to the corporate management ofan organisation where required. Significant knowledge andexperience of the development, agreement, and delivery of serviceplans. Sound understanding and practice of multi-disciplinaryworking. Demonstrable experience of the effective deployment,continuing development and supervision of professional and otherstaff resources. Proven track record of establishing and managingpartnerships/external stakeholder relationships. Change managementexperience at a lead and influence level.